Rajasthan Explorer Tour

Overview

Rajasthan is the ‘Land of Kings’ and paints a bold image of India at its finest. This trip incorporates a list of the must-see but also the little-known elements of this region in one fell swoop! We start in Delhi, the famous gateway to India and then move on to the forts, palaces and havelis which have made Jaipur - the dusky pink city, Jodphur - the fabled blue city, and Udaipur – the lake-side white city, so famous. However we will also experience the less well known areas of Khandela, Bhenswara and Bijaipur where we take a dip into the lives of the rural population, far removed from the pageantry and excesses of the old days of the Raj and today’s modern Maharajahs.

Tour Itinerary

DAY 01: Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport late this evening. You will be met at the airport by PCTI representative who give you a warm welcome with fresh flower garlands and transfer to your hotel by Royal Saloon airconditioned Car. Your room is available for immediate occupancy.

DAY 02: Delhi

Morning after leisurely breakfast we leave for a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. We visit Jama Masjid, this immense mosque is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees, Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January, 1948. Two museums dedicated to Gandhi are located near by. Later we drive past Red Fort citadel. In New Delhi we visit the 11th century Qutab Minar Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a red sandstone tower, standing tall at a height of 72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the holy Qur'an. The India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and drive past the grand government buildings the President’s House and Parliament House all dating back to the time of British Raj.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 03: DELHI / SIKANDRA / AGRA (200KMS – 4HRS)

Morning we drive leisurely to the home town of Taj Mahal – Agra, takes us through the beautiful countryside. Enroute visit Sikandra, situated in the outskirts of Agra, which houses the tomb of Emperor Akbar. An interesting feature here is that one cannot see all the four minarets of the structure from one point - one of them always being behind the other in the viewer’s line of vision. On arrival we transfer to our hotel.

Rest of the day is free to relax with an option of visiting the Taj Mahal at sunset (Closed on Fridays) to watch the beautiful white marble turn slowly to soft, rosy pink.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 04: Agra Sightseeing

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great Mughals, including the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the new Seven Wonder of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone – « undoubtedly the highlight of the tour ».

Post lunch tour of the imposing Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site this powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. Later we have some free time to explore the local handicrafts and shopping centers of the city where one can look for marble inlay work, fine quality carpets, Zari and embroidery, leather goods etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 05: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Bharatpur / Jaipur (250kms – 6hrs)

Morning our drive takes us to the old walled city of Jaipur – Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II, this ‘pink city’ is meticulously constructed on the lines of the Shilpa – Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. The palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were witnesses to the royal processions and splendors, are now living monuments.

Enroute we stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri - a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been described as “the world’s most perfectly preserved ghost town”. Built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years, and the elegant buildings of this superb walled city remain intact to this day. Our next stop is Bharatpur - lying between the cities of Agra and Jaipur in the north-west is famous for Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is a home to an astonishing range of flora and fauna. An abundance of birdlife is found here, including the open-bill and painted stork, egret, darter, white ibis, spoonbill, grey heron, Sarus crane, cormorant, migratory geese, duck, rosy pelican and the rare Siberian crane. We have a completely rewarding experience of seeing an overwhelming range of birds during the rickshaw (tricycle) ride into the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. On arrival at Jaipur, we check inn to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 06: Jaipur Sihgtseeing

Morning breakfast followed by a sight-seeing tour of the city visiting the dramatic hilltop fortress at Amber – ascend the imposing fort on a decorated painted elephant. We wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors. On the way back we stop to view the elegant Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world.

Post lunch we tour the Maharajah’s City Palace, now partly a museum display a unique fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare collection of paintings, Rajput armoury and costumes. Later we explore the city on our own and indulge in shopping for gemstones, silver jewellery, Paintings, blue pottery and hand printed textiles that Jaipur is renowned for. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 07: Jaipur / Mandawa / Bikaner (321kms – 06/07 Hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel we will be driven to the relatively remote city of Bikaner, tucked away in the desert region of western Rajasthan. The city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle.

Enroute visiting Mandawa - The towns of Shekhawati are eminent for their amazing painted havelis. Such is the appeal of the havelis that this region is dubbed as "open art gallery of Rajasthan". The havelis are noted for their frescos depicting mythological themes and that of huge animals. Some later day frescos shows the arrival of the British and highlighting steam locomotives and train doubtlessly for the benefit of those members of the household who did not travel to distance places by train or see this newly introduced mode of transport.
On arrive at Bikaner we check in to our Palace Hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 08: Bikaner/ Gajner Palace / Jaisalmer (333 Kms - 06/07 Hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by visit to the unusual Junagarh Fort - an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Sumptuously decorated with its ornately lacquered walls in red & gold and panels of dazzling coloured glass inlay set over the coronation throne.

Later we will journey through the vast Thar Desert to the ancient caravan city of Jaisalmer - one of the last princely bastions in the region, founded on the crossroads of lucrative trade routes. Its like straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. The name Jaisalmer induces a dramatic picture of utter magic and brilliance of the desert. The hostile terrain not with standing the warmth and colour of people is simply over whelming. Enroute we stop to visit Gajner Palace, converted into a heritage hotel just 32 kms from Bikaner. Gajner is an incomparable Jewel in the Thar, Built by the great Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner on the embankment of a lake with a generous dose of flora and fauna. Around the palace is a thick forestation that attracts the guests to take up a simple walk around admiring the migratory birds in winters like imperial sand goose,antelopes, black bucks and the animal species that wander around in the form of Nilgais, chinkaras, deers etc. The hotel is spread in a large area, and the ambiance around is as raw and authentic as it was before.
We arrive Jaisalmer by early evening and check in to our Hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 09: Jaisalmer

Morning we set out to explore the honey-coloured fort that emerges from the flat dry desert sands and enjoy a walk through the maze of narrow streets in the city with ornately decorated ‘Havelis’ in yellow sandstone, built by rich merchants at a time when the city was a key stopping place on the caravan routes from the Middle East. Jaisalmer has been described as an ‘open air museum’, and to enter its narrow cobbled lanes is to step back into another era.

Evening just before sunset we arrive at Sam Sand Dunes to see the total sandy bush less desert. It has a truly glorious stretch of sweeping sand dunes. We enjoy Camel Ride by the sand dunes and will be able to take our favourite picture with a lone camel on a desert track and the setting sun in the backdrop. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 10: Jaisalmer / Osian Temples / Jodhpur (308 Kms – 06 Hrs)

Today our drive takes us to Jodhpur through the most interesting contours of the desert landscape, the enchanting forts, temples, other royal residences and settlements retain its medieval character and comprise the town's multifaceted attractions. Enroute we stop to visit Osian, An ancient town in the Thar Desert known for its temples. There are 15 brahminical temples and shrines, and a cluster of Jain temples, all built during the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty between the 8th and the 12th centuries.
On arrival at Jodhpur in the evening we proceed to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 11: Jodhpur

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel we visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan which dominates and offers spectacular vistas of the blue-hued city. On the way down from the fort, on left is Jaswant Thada, the graceful marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble stone that is sculpted by the genius artesian. A visit to this structure is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura.

Evening we may wish to explore The ‘Museum’ in Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel which is highly recommended for its display of weapons, an array of stuffed leopards, a huge banner presented by Queen Victoria and an incredible collection of clocks. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 12: Jodhpur / Ranakpur / Udaipur (259 Kms – 6 Hrs)

After breakfast we drive to Udaipur - There is no place in Rajasthan, which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painter, travellers and writers than Udaipur, an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan. Enroute we will visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like.

On arrival we proceed to our Hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 13: Udaipur

Let the glorious sunrise dazzle you at breakfast. Wander through the opulent City Palace grounds and the museum, which are the testamentto the valour and chivalry of the Mewar rulers. Visit Saheliyon ki Bari (the gardens the maids-of-honour), the Jagdish temple on the shores of Lake Pichola. The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir is a treasure house of Rajasthani folk culture.

Evening we enjoy the Boat cruise in Lake Pichola. The breathtaking beauty of the Lakes – Pichola and Fateh Sagar truly make Udaipur an oasis in the desert.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 14: Udaipur / Delhi (By 9w708 – 1530/1640hrs)

Afternoon we check out of the hotel and fly back to Delhi. Met on arrival in Delhi and we leave for farewell dinner at popular Delhi restaurant and later transfer to the international airport to Board your homeward flight or connect to your onward destination.

Note: This is only a suggested RAJASTHAN EXPLORER TOUR. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we can tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour.